W Maldives unveils New batch of talents ahead of March reopening

29 January, 2025

Ahead of its March 2025 reopening W Maldives resort has expanded its executive team with the appointment of four talents in key leadership roles.

Following 11-month renovation, the resort will reopen with a bold new transformation featuring a fresh visual identity and an elevated experience designed specifically for the modern luxury traveler with a seamless blend of vibrant design, exceptional service, and personalised adventures, offering the perfect mix of relaxation and excitement in an idyllic island setting.

W Maldives welcomes Chrisitian Wolny as Resort Manager

W Maldives, the Original Wavemaker and a pioneer of bold island escapes, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Christian Wolny as its new Resort Manager. A seasoned hospitality leader with over 23 years of global experience, Christian brings a dynamic blend of operational excellence, strategic vision, and a people-first approach to the vibrant shores of the Maldives.

Christian’s illustrious career spans luxury hotels, boutique resorts, and urban escapes, where his meticulous operational planning and transformative leadership have set new benchmarks. From his time as General Manager at Boutique Hotel Alhambra in Croatia, achieving a stellar 93% guest satisfaction score, to leading ultra-luxury hotel project consultancy in Xiamen, China, Christian has a proven ability to elevate guest experiences and streamline efficiency.

“Christian’s depth of expertise and passion for curating exceptional guest journeys make him an invaluable addition to the W Maldives family,” said Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “His vision aligns seamlessly with our commitment to redefining escapes with a bold, adventurous spirit. We’re excited to see how his leadership will inspire the next wave of creativity and transformation at W Maldives.”

Known for his high-energy leadership and knack for fostering cohesive, multicultural teams, Christian will oversee all operational aspects of W Maldives. His approach prioritizes seamless synergy across departments while maintaining the resort’s core ethos of creativity, authenticity, and innovation.

Christian’s appointment coincides with a significant milestone for W Maldives, following its full-scale renovation that reimagined the resort with an inspired design narrative. Overwater villas now channel the elegance of whale shark patterns, while beach retreats celebrate the vibrant flora of the island through a ‘bio-boho’ aesthetic. This fresh design vision resonates deeply with Christian’s passion for creating spaces that celebrate both the natural environment and bold design innovation.

With a career steeped in luxury hospitality, Christian has honed a unique ability to balance operational rigor with a creative, forward-thinking approach. His expertise in enhancing guest satisfaction, optimizing team performance, and driving efficiency positions him perfectly to lead the successful reopening of W Maldives and carry the resort into its exciting new chapter.

Meet Rituraj Singh as Style Manager

A highly decorated professional with over a decade of experience in luxury hospitality, Rituraj is set to lead the resort’s Style (Housekeeping) department with his signature blend of operational expertise and innovative vision.

Rituraj’s career is a testament to his dedication and exceptional leadership. “Rituraj’s arrival is a game-changer for W Maldives,” said Amira Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “His proven track record of delivering excellence and his ability to infuse creativity into operations align perfectly with our ethos of bold innovation. We are excited to see him transform our Style experience, ensuring every detail reflects the vibrant energy and elevated service that define W Maldives.”

With a career spanning some of the world’s most prestigious hospitality brands, Rituraj has held key roles at The Taj Hotels and Resorts, The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Rotana Hotels and Resorts, and Address Hotels and Resorts. His extensive expertise ranges from managing large- scale housekeeping operations to implementing sustainable practices and leading award- winning teams.

Rituraj’s achievements include spearheading initiatives that elevated service standards at FIVE Hotels and Resorts, Dubai, and Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, where his leadership contributed to achieving Forbes Travel Guide 4-star ratings in 2022 and 2023. His deep expertise in fostering high-performing teams and his passion for crafting memorable guest experiences position him as the perfect leader for this role.

At W Maldives, Rituraj will oversee all Style operations, ensuring the resort’s bold design and adventurous spirit are reflected in every space. From creating guest-centric experiences to championing operational efficiency, his leadership will reinforce the resort’s reputation as a trendsetter in luxury hospitality.

Ilse Cisneros Martinez as Executive Pastry Chef

Good news for those with a sweet tooth: W Maldives has appointed Ilse Martinez as its new Executive Pastry Chef. This newly created role underscores the resort’s commitment to culinary innovation and its passion for delivering next- level dining experiences.

With a career spanning over a decade, Chef Ilse has honed her craft in some of the world’s most celebrated kitchens. From her leadership as Head Pastry Chef at Sushi Samba within Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha to her creative contributions at L’Atelier Joël Robuchon in Dubai and Pujol in Mexico City—consistently ranked among the world’s top restaurants—Chef Ilse has established herself as a rising star in the world of haute patisserie.

Her journey reflects a unique blend of cultural influences and artistic finesse. A graduate of the prestigious Technical & Hotel School of Monaco, she refined her skills under the tutelage of Chef Benoit Perruchon-Monge. Fluent in Spanish, English, and French, with intermediate Chinese proficiency, Ilse embodies a global perspective that resonates with W Maldives’ bold and adventurous spirit.

Chef Ilse’s creative philosophy emphasizes blending tradition with innovation, creating desserts that are as visually captivating as they are delicious. In her new role, she will spearhead the resort’s pastry operations, designing indulgent creations that reflect the vibrant energy and natural beauty of the Maldives.

Ariko Ahmad as Director of Marketing & Communications

As the resort's previous Marketing & Communications Manager, Ariko successfully ramped up all PR and marketing initiatives during the pre-closure and now pre-reopening phase. His impressive work in PR, communications, and marketing are very appreciated.

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